Mobile tower paver



E; O. MARTINSON MOBILE TOWER PAVER May 7, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filud March 2, 1953 INVENTOR. f, 0, Maren/van M 1957 E. o. MARTINSON 2,791,342

MOBILE TOWER PAVER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Filed Iaych 2, 1953 Hllll" W W I,

INVENTOR. E. O.Mr}R-r1mo2v May 7, 1957 E. o. MARTl NSON 2,791,342

. MOBILE TOWER PAVER Filed March 2. 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN KEN TOR.

E. O. Moawwwv BY May 7, 1957 j E. O. MARTINSON )MOBILE TOWER PAVER 6- Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 2, 195a INVENTOR.

. E o. M q-rnuuozv BY y 1957 E. o. MARTINSON 2,791,342

MOBILE TOWER PAVER' 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 2, 1953 EJQ IN V EN TOR. E. 0. Mn n-nvaozv May 7, 1957 E. o. MARTINSON 2,791,342

MOBILE TOWER PAVER Filed March 2, 1953 INVENTOR.

E O, MfiRTIA/JON BY I,

United States Patented May 7, 1957 MOBILE TOWER PAVER Edwin O. Martinson, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application March 2, 1953, Serial No. 339,863

7 Claims. (Cl. 214-630) This invention relates to concrete distributing machines and more particularly to a machine primarily designed to supply concrete or the like material to relatively high elevations, and yet be portable and self contained.

It is contemplated that the provision for elevation of material shall be in the form of an attachment to a known type of concrete paving machine, with certain changes in the operating parts thereof however being necessary.

Thus, a new machine is provided which facilitates concrete distribution for various purposes such as building construction.

Heretofore delivery of concrete in substantial quantities in such construction, has involved separate elevating structures and mixing machines with consequent wasteful handling required by reason of manual transfer of material after mixing to a separate elevating mechanism, or if a standard paver with an elevating boom is used, the length of the boom necessarily limits the height of delivery and also fails to provide for temporary storage of concrete which would make possible large quantity placement thereof. While remotely related machines of the type of this invention have been contemplated, no one has provided for the unique arrangement of parts, nor the peculiar interrelationship of the same. In addition, the flexibility and portability of the machine of the present invention, and its large capacity, are substantial improvements not previously available.

Thus, the primary object of the invention is to provide a machine which is flexible to a high degree and involves a novel arrangement of new structural elements.

A further object is to provide an elevating arrangement with storage facilities which are adjustable over a wide range.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel controls for the operating instrumentalities which enable safe use of the machine under all conditions.

Yet another object is to arrange the various parts whereby a storage hopper is mounted on a tower frame, a bucket unit is operable in the frame and the means for raising the bucket unit are availed of to raise and lower the hopper unit to a wide range of positions.

Another object is to provide a novel stabilizing arrangement and an eificient raising apparatus for a tower frame, which may be of substantially greater height than heretofore available.

Other and further objects including the provision of a novel locking device for the hopper unit will be set forth in the accompanying specification, and shown in the drawings, wherein: a

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine of this invention, showing in general the relationship of the basic elements thereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation, showing the hopper unit in one position on the tower frame.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the bucket carriage and bucket supported thereby for operation in the tower frame.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the Figure 3 disclosure. Figure 5 is an end elevation, somewhat fragmentary in nature, showing the tower frame and omitting the mixer upon which the same is supported.

Figure 6 is an elevational view, somewhat fragmentary in nature, showing certain of the operating instrumentalities of the machine.

Figure 7 is a top plan view partly in section, and partly in elevation, showing the tower and hopper unit carried thereby.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing the part of the control unit in its mounting upon the hopper frame.

Figure 9 is a similar fragmentary view in side elevation showing part of the control unit of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a side view of the hopper frame, removed from its normal position in the tower and illustrating certain of the provisions therein.

Figure 11 is an end view of the disclosure of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the hopper frame locating pin.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view, showing the manner of guiding the bucket carriage and its association with a portion of the tower frame.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view, showing a portion of the Outriggers used for stabilization of the tower frame.

Figure 15 is a view in end elevation of certain of the elements comprising the brake control for the elevating or hoisting apparatus.

Figure 16 is a side view of a portion of the brake control mechanism shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary view, showing the manner of engagement of the hopper locating pin and the tower frame with the associated hopper frame supported thereon.

Figure 18 is an enlarged view, showing the interengagement of the hopper frame, the locating pin in position, and a portion of the bucket carriage inter-engaged with a portion of the hopper frame.

Figure 19 is a view, somewhat fragmentary in nature, showing the manner of mounting the tower frame upon the superstructure of the mixer.

Referring now initially to Figures 1, 5, 6 and 19, the main structures which comprise the machine will be de scribed.

Initially it is noted that the mixer, generally designated A, and although not shown in detail, will be understood to comprise a suitable mixing drum in which the materials are to be mixed and other essential elements of such a machine, is adapted to be transported in the usual way as supported upon the wheels 1 thereof, the wheels in turn being suitably engaged with a main frame 2 of the machine, which main frame supports thereabove the usual mixing drum only generally indicated at 3, said drum intended to be driven by an engine denoted 4. At the forward end of the machine, a skip 5 is provided which is adapted to be raised and lowered in the usual manner so as to deposit aggregate in the drum 3 for mixing therein. In place of the usual boom, which is generally provided in a machine such as A, a tower unit generally designated B is provided, and suitably fastened to a superstructure frame designated 6 of the machine A. In this connection, Figure 19 is referred to and indicates the superstructure frame 6 as being provided at its rear upward portion at 6a with a suitable pivot, it being understood that there is one at each side of the frame. able hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 7 is provided, fastened at its lower end at 8 to the main frame 2 of the machine, and at its upper end connected at 9 to a suitable member 10 of the tower unit B, there being provided for A suitoperation of the piston and cylinder unit 7 the usual hydraulic valve operating devices which are not shown in detail.

The. tower unit Bv is-intended. by. the provisions of the unit 7 to be pivoted about the point 6a which isamountingpoint for abracketllwhich. extends from the tower unit B, so as to move-the frame. into the dotted'line position shown in Figure 1V or conversely to. raisethe frame about the point 6a into the substantiallyvertical positionwhich is shown in-thatfigure.

The tower unit B will now be dwcribed in more detail and in this particular form of the invention is shown as comprisinga lower. section 12 and. anuppersection 13, connected. together at 14. by suitableflange connections and the usual nuts and bolts or other means provided therefor; The tower sections 12 and 13 are substantially the. same,.as will be understood,, and. froma consideration of Figure 7, it will be seen that the sections 12 and 13. which comprise. the tower frame. are of. substantially U-shaped configuration in: cross section, including the side members-lfixand the end-.members16, suitably welded at their. juncture to the vertically extending anglemembers 17. It will be understood that the tower: frame is therefore. a substantially open-sided U-shaped member and the same is suitably. braced by the usual type of bracing 18 shown in Figure l, which bracing 18=may be fastened. in any manner desired. to. the respective corner members 17.

A consideration of Figure 8 will show that the end members. 16, somewhat fragmentarily illustrated in that view,.connect at their outer ends towhatmay be termed Z-shaped vertically extending members 19, it being further understood that there is one. of these. members at each corner at the open face or open side. of: the'frame: These. members 19 extend from top to bottom in the tower frame as do the members 17,,these members 19' furtherhaving. designated the flange sections 20 and 21 thereon for purposeswhich' will be understood hereinafter.

it should be understood that the members 19, includ greater. detail in FigureS, and comprise suitable. arn1s. 22:

at opposite sides of and connected to one of the mem-; bers 15, innturn beingbraced asat 23 torthe'upri'ght angles 17; and being pivotally' connected: at tliepoints 24, tubular arms 25, Tubular arms 25: are. provided. at. their lower ends: with stabilizing members,.and showmin: 55

adjusting. screws 26:. The screws 26 'engagersuitable'nutsz 27 wluehabut-the lower'endsof the tubular members 25;.

somewhat: greater? detail. in Figure li4; as. by the threaded the screws 26 engaging at their lower. ends: and:pi-votally. connccted'theretoat 23, the supportinggpads't29: The

pads 29 are form-ed'so -as-to rotate on thepivot points 28, and further.- are connected: to. braces 30 extending.

from the lower end ofthe frame, and being; fastened at 31 toeach pad.

It will thus be. apparent that by suitablezmanipulation.

of thenuts 27'when-the-towcr is.in'itsupright position, the pads 29-may be caused to. transfer'a largezpartiofthe weight of the tower and the; various. instmmentalitiesz carried;- thcreby to. the groundto: relieve: the frame. of I the; machine of that weight,. and; further: stabilize: the tower as respects transverse: movement thereof. in. the It" will also-be: understood that the braces 30 may be removedl or' otherwise= disconnected operating position.

anditbe outriggers folded up suitably alongside the frame of the=-tower when transportis undertaken: v

keferring nowtoFigures'l, 2',- lOand'dl; the tower unit B is shown as having supported thereon av hopper unit generally designated C. The hopper unit C includes a frame generally designated 32 as shown in Figures 10 and 11, which frame is composed of side members 33 and 34, and top and bottom members 35. Suitable angle members 36 and 37 are provided connected at the top with the members 35fand at their lower ends with angle members 38. Intermediate the ends, the frame 32 is provided with a guideway 39 there being one of these for each side of'the frame, thesame extending outwardly as shown in Figure 11, and includingfthe track 40 therein, for purposes which will be hereinafter set forth.

As shown in Figure 8' in somewhat greater detail, the members 33 and34 are formed with spaced flanges 41 and 42 which flanges 41 and 42 are intended to engage at opposite sides of the members 20 of the Z-shaped frame members 19. Thus, since the members 20 extend in. opposite directions; theflanges 41. and. 42engaging the same at opposite-sides, will .provideinetfect al-guided.

track-like support for the frame. 32; This. provision is made in. order to permit the vertical positioning; of. the

hopper frame 32. and. its associatedipartsi upwardly and downwardly along. theopen side, so. to speak of the tower frame. In order to p'ositionthe tower: frame ver+ tically along the open side above mentioned, suitable openings 43a of the form shown: in. Figure 10, may: be provided and spaced at intervals in each of. the members 41 and 42. As shown in Figure 12, a locatin'g pin generally designated43-is provided; one. for: each of the sides 33 and 34; The-pin. 43 includes a- U-shaped section' 44,, and a T-head 4 5 thereon, the: free: end of the U-shaped portion 44 being adapted. to. engage. in one of theopenings 43 inthe manner shown in. Figure 18. It

will be understood: that the-flangeszzt). of themembers' 19 are provided atspaced intervals therealongand with openingsin whichv the free ends of the. U-shapedmember 44 may be positioned. Thus when thei freeend of the member 44 is in the position as shown in Figure 18, the T-head portion 45 is:permitted'to rotate slightly by gravity and. thus effect an interlock by reason. of the fact that'the T-head member 45 will thus engage the'edge of one of themembers 33 or 34 as. the: case maybe. With the foregoing in mind it: will be? clear that the hopper frame may; bepositioned'verticallywithina wide range along the open face of the tower'frame; for purposeswhichiwillbehereinafter apparent.

Referring now to. Figures 2 and. 7 primarily, it will be seen that the. hopper frame-32'isiintend'ed' to support by means: of members 36 and- 37 thereof; a hopper 46 which is substantially; rectangular inplan. The-hopper 46 as shown in Figure 2, includes an outwardly sloped bottom or side 47; and: an outer. substantially vertical side48, whereby material deposited within thehopper is directed to a suitable door 49 provided'attheibottom of the hopper. The hopper is braced in its' position. by meansof the. tie rods 50, there being-. .one:of these:provided at each: side-of the hopper and connected at one end at 51 tothe. hopper frame- 32 and-atfthe'other end 52 to the. hopper 46 as.will be apparent.-- It should-be understood-that thehopper may be positionedasshown in the. various figures, or turned at -degree increments, there being. suitable provisions-made for supporting the same in the various positions.

Referring now to Figures.- 2, 3-, and. 4-primarily, a suitable bucketumitgenerallydesignated D is provided. This bucket unit D comprisesa bucket carriagegenerally desi'gnated53and is of substantially U-shaped configuration,.same.being used ininverted position, Thiscarriage 53- comprises suitable transverse channel members 54; connected at theirouter' ends to downwardly extending trapezoidal shaped arms 55, the arms 55 being connected at 56*to'a bucket 57'; The bucket 57"eomprises a substantially rectilinear upwardly open unit, including a rounded bottom 58 thereon and angularly positioned upperportion 59f It should'be explained that the only connection of the bucket 57 with the carriage 53 is at the points 56, the points 56 being located so as to be substantially above the center of gravity of the bucket and so arranged with respect to the bucket that the normal position of the same is as shown in Figure 4, substantially upright. The bucket carriage D is guided within the tower frame in the manner shown in somewhat greater detail in Figure 18, and consists of suitable opposed rollers 66 and 61, mounted on the arms 55 so as to extend outwardly therefrom and be slightly spaced with respect to one another. These rollers 60 and 61 are intended to engage with the flanges 21 of the members 19 previously described, and thus the carriage 53 is guided along those flanges in its upward and downward movements within the tower frame. Suitably fastened to the channel members 54 which connect the members 55, is a sheave 62, the sheave being pivot-ally supported on suitable members 63, which are connected to the channel members 54. In order to raise and lower the bucket unit D, within the tower frame, suitable cable means 64 are provided, and as shown in Figure 5 the cable is deadended at 65 at the upper end of the tower, thence extends downwardly around the sheave 62 and upwardly over a sheave 66 suitably mounted at the top of the tower, over a further sheave 67 and hence downwardly and beneath an additional sheave 68 as shown in Figure 1, thence forwardly over a sheave 69 and thence to a suitable winch generally designated 70 as shown in Figure 1.

Suitable centering rollers 60a and 60b are provided on the arms 55 as seen in Figures 3, 4 and 8 to prevent unwanted lateral movement of the carriage 53.

It will thus be apparent that suitable winding of the cable 64 about the winch drum of the winch 70, will cause the bucket unit D to be raised and guided within the tower frame by means of the flanges 21 as will be apparent. It should be noted that at the lower end of the tower, the flanges 21 are bent inwardly or forwardly as shown at 71, whereby the bucket carriage 53 will move inwardly toward the mixing drum 3 and beneath the discharge chute 72 thereof. It will be noted as shown in Figures 1 and 19, in dotted line, the bucket 57 is somewhat angularly positioned and therefore the end 59 thereof assumes a virtually horizontal position to receive the contents of the mixing drum 3 through the discharge chute 72.

When the hopper unit C is positioned on the tower at the place where it is desired to have the material accessible, as for example in the position shown in Figure 1, material deposited by the discharge chute 72 in the bucket 57 may be raised by means of the carriage 53 and associated parts including the cable 64 into the upper position adjacent the hopper unit C in order to discharge the contents of the bucket 57 into the hopper 46.

Thus, by suitable manipulation of the cable 64, the bucket 57 is raised and as shown in Figure 2 when it reaches the upper point of movement, a bucket tipping roller designated 73 (there being one provided at each side of the bucket and shown in Figure 4) is adapted to travel into the outwardly extending guide-way or track 40 as shown in Figures 2 and 11. As shown in the dotted line positions of Figure 2, the bucket remains in substantially vertical position during travel movement, and when the carriage 53 has reached the full line position shown in Figure 2, the bucket will have also reached the full line position shown in that figure, pivoting about the points 56 as previously described.

Thus, the contents of the bucket 57 will be dumped into the hopper 46 and be ready for discharge through the door 49 at will. It will be understood that the tipping rollers 73 have travelled outwardly in the guide-way 40 to effect the dumping action above generally described, as the carriage 53 is raised to the position shown in Figure 2.

The hoisting arrangement and associated controls, to gether with the operation thereof will now be set forth in conjunction with the disclosure in Figures 6 and 8 initially.

As shown in the said Figure 6, the main frame 2 of the machine is shown as having mounted thereon suitable operating levers for the winch 70, which includes a drum 73, the winch 70 being driven in any preferred manner in accordance with conventional design by the motor 4. The various supports for the winch and associated drum are not shown in detail since they may be readily supplied as will be apparent.

The cable 64 is shown as being reeved over the drum '73 and as shown also in Figure 16, a suitable clutch arm '74 is provided for the clutch 75 which connects the drive shaft of the motor 4 with the clutch shaft 76 through which the winch drum 73 is driven. The clutch arm 74 is pivoted at 77, and at its lower end is connected to a link 78 which link in turn is connected to a crank '79 which crank is pivotally mounted at 80 on the frame of the machine, the arm 79 in turn being connected to a further link 81, thence to a second arm 82 pivoted at 83. The arm 82 is in turn connected to an additional link 84 at one end, and at its other end at 85 to a clutch lever 86. The clutch lever is pivoted at 87 and includes at its end a forwardly and downwardly extending member 88 thereon, which engages a spring 89; the spring 89 in turn is connected to a turnbuckle 90. The turnbuckle 90 is connected to a cable 92, the cable 92 thence passing rearwardly upwardly, as shown in Figure 1, over a pulley 93 carried by the tower frame and then upwardly to a point 94 where said cable is dead-ended at the top of the frame.

The just described clutch cable is provided in order to efiect a disconnection of the drive of the motor 4 from the cable 64 which effects the raising movement of the bucket carriage D, and suitable control for such declutching operation is shown in Figures 8 and 9, the control unit being designated 95 generally.

The control unit comprises a lower pulley 96 suitably fastened to the hopper frame 32 by means of a bracket 97, and an upper pulley 98 similarly fastened to the frame 32 by a bracket 99. Intermediate the pulleys 96 and 98 and also carried on the hopper frame 32, is a further pulley 100. The pulley 100 is mounted on an arm 101 which is fastened to a shaft 102 so as to be rotatable therewith, the shaft 102 being likewise fastened to an additional arm 103 at the outer end of which arm is a roller 104. With the foregoing description of the control unit 95 in mind, it will be understood that when the bucket 57 reaches the lower dotted line position in Figure 2 for example, just prior to the time when it is intended to dump the contents of the same into the hopper 46, movement thereafter into the upper full line position shown in that figure the corresponding bucket position being shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, will cause the face 57-a of the bucket to engage with the roller 194 on the arm 103 and subsequent movement upwardly of the carriage 53, which will carry the lower end of the bucket still farther up--will cause the arm 103 to move into the position shown in Figure 9 and thus in effect tension and cause a pull on the cable 92. Since the cable 92 is connected, as previously described, at 99 to the spring 89 and hence the lever 86, clockwise ratation of the lever 86 will be effected which in turn Will cause counterclockwise rotation of the clutch lever 74, whereby the clutch operated thereby will be disengaged and thus the drive of the winch by the motor 4 is interrupted. Thus, the upper extent of the movement of the bucket carriage D is limited by the control unit 95 previously mentioned, which causes disconnection of the driving force to the lifting cable 64 provided.

The brake mechanism for the winch drum 73 will next be described, in reference to Figures 6, 15 and 16, wherein is shown a brake drum 104 mounted on the winch 7 shaft'105. The brake drum 104' is surroundedbya' brake band 10'6"shown particularly in Figure one end of'the bandb'eing'dead-en'cledat 107 in a' slotted opening 1081 It will be understood that the point 107 is suitably fastenedto' a member of the framework 109; The other end of the band' 106 is connected by a ro'd110 to a lever 111 at 112; The lever 111' is in turn connected to a crank 113, which crank is pivotally mounted at'11'4 on the member 109' previously mentioned. The crank 113 is'in turn connected to a rod 115' which extends downwardly as shown in Figure 16 to a lost motion lever 116 at 117'. The lost motion lever 1'16 is mountedfo'r pivotal movement'at118'and is substantially J shaped' as shown; The J-shaped member'116' is equipped'with' a rod 11'9pivotally connected at 120, the" other? end of the rod being seated in an opening 121. in a" downwardly. depending bracket 122. The rod 119 is provided with a shoulder 123 against which and between the bracket 122' is mounted a spring 124;

At the'upper end of the member 116', the same is providedwith a slot 125, for a pin126, which is fixed at the end of a rod 127, the rod'127 extending rearwardly to a lever 128, pivotally mounted on theshaft 83 previously mentioned. The lever128 is in turn adapted'to'be operated by a brakelever 129; In order'to provide against sudden dropping of the bucket and its contents in the event the clutch for hoisting should become disengaged, the brake arrangement just described further includes a mounting and positioningof the various elements so as to normally placena certain amount of drag on the drum 104 in both thehoistingsand lowering directions of rotationthereof. As indicated-in FigurelS' the hoisting di- 7 rection is shown by the arrow 130 and the lowering direction of rotation indicated by thearrow 131. Also shown in this figure, and denoted 132is'a'returnspring to return the brake band 106 in the slotl 08 'when hoisting to provide for minimum brake'drag. It will'be apparent that rotation of the drum 104 in the direction of the arrow 130 is in the direction which tendsto' unwrap the brake band so to speak, and yet by reason of the provision of the spring 124 and the lever 116; a certain amount of tension'is yet maintained on the band. The parts 124 and 116 are moved,into the dotted line position shown in Figure 16, when hoisting rotation of the drum is being effected; The tension of thespring 124' is adjusted seats to provide sufficient drag on'thebrake band 106 that in the event the clutch should accidentally become disconnected or for some other reason failurein hoisting power" shouldtake place, the drum 104*will tend to rotate in the direction of the arrow 131. This will alsocause a wrapping action of the band ltlfi' about the drum, and

since the band is adjusted with'sufiicient tension so as to maintain thebucket 57 in position-even with a load therein, the bucket and associated carriage'cann'otfall It will be understood-that when the" tively stopped, the brake-lever 129 may be manipulated so as to move the parts 11'9'and 116" into the position shown in full lines, in Figure 16 thus pulling downwardly on the rod and associated link 113whereby the band 106'is securely tightened about the, drum and thus'posi V tive stoping of'the' drum 73 is effected; the-cable being wound or reeved' thereaboutas previously set forth;

The provision of the-elongated slot in the J-shaped lever 116, is for the-purpose of preventing sudden movement by the lever 129 from' too abruptly effecting" the stopping movement of" the drum'73 hand a steady application of'thebraking effect may be carried out. Further, it should be noted that tlie spring l24'on the rod 119 is'adjustable so as to enablo'the'samc to be pre-sct with a load" of concrete in the bucket 57', in the position shown in dotted line inFigure 16, to just barely hold the bucket and its conte'nts in any fixed'posi tionwithout havingfull" application of the brake being necessary. Such adjustment will be made prior to the and on the other 8 actual operating cycl'e'ofthe machine when it is put into use in order to be perfectly sure that the required safe operation of the mechanism may take place.

In operating the machine hereinbefore described, it will be'assumed that the tower unit B is in the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, and that the hopper unit C is in the lo'wer'dottedlineposition also, at right angles to that shown in the figure, in full lines.

Thereafter theoperator by manipulation of the controls which are conventional; causes the hydraulic piston and cylinder unit shown in Figure 19 and denoted 7 to be operated so as to move the piston therein inwardly and cause the tower B to pivot around the point 6-a. When the tower has moved into the full line position shown in Figure 1, and also the position shown in Figure l9,1the same'is ready for operation. By suitable positioning of the pads 29'onthe tubular members 25' and associated braces 30, the tower is retained in its substantially vertical position, and in addition brace members 135 are connected near'the lower end of the tower at 136' and to the main frame of the machine at 1371' Thus, the tower is maintained vertically in a longitudinal' direction, with the Outriggers maintaining the same vertically in a transversedirection.

Withthe hopper unit C in the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, the operator will thereafter operate the clutch lever 86 so as to" cause the cable 64 to be reeved about the drum 73; This wall compel thebucket' to move into the dumping position, such as is shown in Figure 2, it'beingborne in" mind that the hopper unit is'at the lower end" of' the tower as shown'in Figure l. The bucket unit moves into the dumping position, the operator maintaining suffi'cient pressure on the clutch overcoming the'ten'dency of the control unit 95 to disengage the clutch, will cause'th'e hopper'unit C t be raise'dby' the bucket unit D along the tower upwardly to tlieposition'at which'the same is desired'to be located for'distributing' purposes. At this point, the locating pins 43 are inserted in the openings 43-a, likewise engaginglthe corresponding openings in the Z-shap'edmembers 19'of the tower frame, so'asto'brin'gthe same into the position shown in' Figure 18'. The locatingtpins are permitted to drop by gravity around the parts thereof which are entered'in the openings and as shown inFigure l7 assume the'position indicated therein. Thus, the hopper unit C is now maintained-at its proper position, and thereafter the clutch lever 06 will bereleased so as to permit the bucket 57. to be returned to its position I below the discharge chute 72-of'the mixer. As previously described, the bucket 57'moves inwardly toward'the mixer as shown in Figure 1 so as to be positionedbeneath the discharge-chute 72, at the lower extent of its travel movement in the tower.

Thereafter, the operator, by engaging the clutch; it being assumed thata load of material is now deposited in the bucket 5'7, Will cause the same to be raised by the cable 64 upwardly in the tower frame to a position such as is shown'infull lines at" the upperpart of the tower in Figure 1 and in Figure 2. The bucket will be caused to move from the dotted line positions shown in the figu're, to' the full line position shown therein, and the side 57-11 thereof will engagethe' arm 103 andpull on the cable 92 to thereby'disengage the clutch'and prevent further movenientupwardly of the bucket carriage 53. When the contents of the bucket 57 have been dumped into the hopper, the bucket is permitted toreturn to its position to receive. another'load' in the manner previously described. 7

It might be explained at this point that'the cable 64 which" is used for raising and lowering the bucket, is theone which would normally be used for movingvabucket' inwardly andoutwardly on a paver boom, there'bein'g certain changes in connections and operating controls necessary to effect such rearrangement of the cable. It

will also be understood that the skip is manipulated in accordance with the usual practice so as to raise aggregates carried therein and deposit the same within the mixing drum 3 so as to carry out the mixing operation and deliver mixed concrete to the discharge chute 72.

The tower unit B is so arranged on the machine that movement of the same with the tower in raised position may be elfected by removing the outriggers or raising the pads 29 thereof to permit such movement for short distances, Without requiring the tower to be lowered into its travel position. Also, it is clear that the hopper unit C may be positioned vertically on the tower in a large number of positions. Thus, in view of the fact that the tower may be of substantial height, a great range of supply may be etfected by the hopper unit in building construction using concrete or other aggregate of the like required for such structures.

I claim:

1. An attachment for a mixer of the class described, comprising, in combination, a tower frame adapted to be pivotally attached to a mixer frame for movement to a lowered transporting position and a substantially vertical operating position, a distributing hopper unit adjustably mounted on said frame, a bucket carried by the frame and adapted to dump material carried thereby into said hopper unit, means for effecting raising movement of said bucket, brake and clutch instrumentalities for said means and instrumentalities connected to said brake and clutch instrumentalities for automatically interrupting said raising movement when the bucket moves into dumping position.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hopper unit includes a member adapted to engage the bucket, and the bucket raising means is operable to raise the bucket and hopper unit simultaneously.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the member adapted to engage the bucket is normally operable to tilt the same and dump the contents into the hopper unit.

4. In a portable tower unit of the class described, in combination, means for transporting said unit from place to place, a tower frame, a distributing hopper unit adjustably mounted on said frame, a bucket carried by the frame and adapted to dump material carried thereby into said hopper unit, means for eifecting raising movement of said bucket, brake and clutch instrumentalities for said means, and cable operated instrumentalities connected to said brake and clutch instrumentalities for automatically interrupting said raising movement when the bucket moves into dumping position.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for effecting raising movement of said bucket include a hoist and driving connections for operating the same, said driving connections include a clutch, and the interrupting instrumentalities comprise a cable connected at one end to the tower frame, and at the other end to the clutch, and a cable tensioning device intermediate the ends of the cable having a part engageable with the bucket in dumping position to tension the cable and disconnect the clutch.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for efiecting raising movement of said bucket includes a winch, a cable reeved thereon and connected to the bucket, and controls for said winch, said controls comprising a clutch and brake, said brake including parts automatically operable to maintain said bucket at an infinite number of positions.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for effecting raising movement of said bucket includes a clutch and a normally partially engaged brake to maintain the carriage in position when the clutch is disengaged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 985,751 Smith et a1. Feb. 28, 1911 1,714,990 Schmid May 28, 1929 1,796,282 Bushnell et a1 Mar. 17, 1931 1,870,962 Oldroyd Aug. 9, 1932 1,954,860 Bager Apr. 17, 1934 2,234,210 Wagner et a1. Mar. 11, 1941 2,319,807 Farrell May 25, 1943 2,327,477 Wagner Aug. 24, 1943 2,416,771 Porter Mar. 4, 1947 

